Hi all -
I recently received a letter requesting an equipment list for event and documentary work - thought it might be of interest to some of you, as well.
This is pretty much what we use for everything. It's annotated from the original letter. The small type is from the letter, the ALL CAPS my input.
3 x nanolights and stands. (Two to light the green screen and one to separate the talent).
FOR GREENSCREEN YOU WILL HAVE TO BUILD A TALLER VERSION OF THE N.LIGHT AND USE ABOUT 8 BULBS PER SIDE.
IN MY VIDEO WE USED A TALLER VERSION, BUT NOT ENOUGH BULBS (ABOUT 6) - IT WORKED, BUT NOT GREAT - NEXT TIME I'LL GO WITH THE 8 BULB SETUP - THAT SHOULD DO IT.
2 x small Chinese lanterns
WHY NOT - YOU'RE TALKING $30 BUCKS
1 x big Chinese lantern
DEFINITELY (NOTE: IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE ARE, GET MY VIDEO. www.vasst.com)
2 x Zylight 50s (one to be used on camera as required, or both on stands or booms when lighting talent or product shots).
THESE ARE LED LIGHTING UNITS - I SAY, DON'T BUY UNTIL YOU TRY THEM OUT IN ACTUAL WORKING CONDITIONS - MAYBE, BUT I'M SUSPICIOUS - LET ME KNOW HOW THIS WORKS.
2 x lightweight stands for Z50s.
SEE ABOVE
1 x Lowel 250'S w/barn doors.
2 MINIMUM - THIS WILL BE YOUR MAIN LIGHT FOR HAIR, BACKLIGHT AND BACKGROUND - 3 EVEN BETTER TO HAVE IN THE KIT, IF ONE CRAPS OUT, OR YOU'RE LIGHTING A BIGGER SITUATION.
Stand for Lowel.
DEFINITELY GET THE BOOM STAND BY BOGEN - IT'S SMALL(ISH) TO PACK, BUT EXTENDS ABOUT 6 OR 8 FEET (OR EVEN MORE - DON'T REMEMBER) - I HAVE TWO AND LOVE THEM - IT'S WHAT I USED IN THE MOVIE.
Cardboard cutout shadow board/s
SMALLER THAN IN THE MOVIE - WITH WAY SMALLER CUTOUTS - I'D SAY ABOUT A 15" SQUARE BOARD. BLACK BOTH SIDES.
Reflector board (your laminated poster-size one)
YEAH, BUT... IF MONEY IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM, I'D GO WITH THE WHITE/SILVER PHOTOFLEX 3 FOOT REFLECTOR (MOVIE) AND REFLECTOR STAND. THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY USE. THE CHEAPIES WERE FOR UNDERFINANCED WORKERS. THE END RESULT EXACTLY THE SAME - LIGHT IS LIGHT.
Dimmable bulbs for lanterns
LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU FIND THEM
Dimmer for lanterns.
AND YOUR LOWELL PRO 50'S AS WELL 3 TO 5 UNITS.
Splitter connectors (sockets to build lights for lanterns)
ABOUT 5 OR 6
2 x Multi-plug power strips
GET ABOUT 8 CHEAP POWER STRIPS - YOU'LL USE ALL OF THEM - DON'T SPEND EXTRA FOR SURGE PROTECTION
Light cables.
1- 100 FT 10/3 CONTRACTORS EXTENSION ON REEL
3 - 25 FT 14 OR 16 EXTENSIONS WITH LITTLE NEON INDICTORS BUILT IN TO SHOW POWER IS ON
8 - THREE WIRE SIMPLE 10 - 15 FT HOUSEHOLD EXTENSION WIRES.
Clamps and clips.
2- 8"
6- 4 OR 6"
DOZEN TEENY CLAMPS OR WOOD CLOTHESPINS FOR GELS TO LAMPS, ETC.
ScrimS.
IF YOU'VE GOT THE BUCKS GET A COMPLETE SET FOR ONE LIGHT
1 DOUBLE
1 SINGLE
1 HALF DOUBLE
1 HALF SINGLE
PLUS SNOOT SET
IF YOU DON'T HAVE BUCKS USE DIMMERS AND BLACKWRAP
Gels.
ABOUT 6 DIFFERENT BOLD COLORS
Green screen.
FOLDING GREENSCREEN FROM PHOTOFLEX (NON REFLECTIVE MATERIAL)
Green screen scaffold
CHECK OUT LARGE SPEAKER STANDS FROM SAM ASH
Anything else?
GAFFER TAPE IN SILVER AND BLACK
WATER BAGS AND SASH CHAIN FOR BOOMS AND LARGER LIGHTS.
CASES FOR EVERYTHING - I'M ALL ABOUT LITTLE BOXES AND BAGS IN LARGER BOXES AND BAGS.
TRY TO GET DIFFERENT COLORS AND SHAPES FOR YOUR DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT NEEDS.
IN A RUSH, I HATE TO HAVE TO "RUMMAGE ABOUT" TRYING TO FIND STUFF.
ALL OUR SOUND GEAR IS AN A YELLOW CONTRACTORS BAG
ALL OUR NANOLIGHT BULBS, DIMMERS AND CLIPS ARE IN A SMALL STANLEY ROLLING TWO PART CONTRACTORS BOX.
ALL OUR STANDS ARE IN STAND BAGS, ALTHOUGH I LIKE SPOT'S IDEA BETTER - GOLF CLUB CASES
TRIPODS MUST BE BAGGED FOR PROTECTION
ZOOM CONTROLLER FOR THE CAMERA - MUST HAVE
GOOD HEADPHONES FOR EACH CAMERAMAN - MUST HAVE - IF I SEE A CAMERAMAN SHOOTING W/O HEADPHONES - I KNOW HE'S AN AMATEUR.
RADIO MIKE SETUP - MANY AVAILABLE - I HAVE THREE TRANSMITTERS AND TWO RECEIVERS - TWO LAVS AND A RADIO HOOKUP FOR MY SHORT SHOTGUN (WITH BOOMPOLE)
MIKE CABLES 6 FT, 12 FT AND 25 FT - FOR WHEN THE RADIOS DON'T WORK
EXTRA CAMERA USING SAME MEDIA
BODY BRACE FOR EXTENDED HAND HELD SHOOTING
WE PACK EVERYTHING IN THREE LARGE STANLEY CONTRACTOR CASES AND FASTEN THEM TO EACH OTHER AND TO A POLE OR TABLE TO DISCOURAGE THEFT ON-SITE. WE USE COMBINATION LOCKS WITH ALL LOCKS SET TO AN EASY TO REMEMBER COMBINATION (2-2-2) SO ANYONE ON CREW CAN GET STUFF. WE NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING LAYING ABOUT - EVER.
Hope all the about helps even one person - it's a good basic professional working kit. If you need bigger stuff for any job - rent it. Don't tie up your assets in un-necessary equipment.
best to all,
v
I recently received a letter requesting an equipment list for event and documentary work - thought it might be of interest to some of you, as well.
This is pretty much what we use for everything. It's annotated from the original letter. The small type is from the letter, the ALL CAPS my input.
3 x nanolights and stands. (Two to light the green screen and one to separate the talent).
FOR GREENSCREEN YOU WILL HAVE TO BUILD A TALLER VERSION OF THE N.LIGHT AND USE ABOUT 8 BULBS PER SIDE.
IN MY VIDEO WE USED A TALLER VERSION, BUT NOT ENOUGH BULBS (ABOUT 6) - IT WORKED, BUT NOT GREAT - NEXT TIME I'LL GO WITH THE 8 BULB SETUP - THAT SHOULD DO IT.
2 x small Chinese lanterns
WHY NOT - YOU'RE TALKING $30 BUCKS
1 x big Chinese lantern
DEFINITELY (NOTE: IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE ARE, GET MY VIDEO. www.vasst.com)
2 x Zylight 50s (one to be used on camera as required, or both on stands or booms when lighting talent or product shots).
THESE ARE LED LIGHTING UNITS - I SAY, DON'T BUY UNTIL YOU TRY THEM OUT IN ACTUAL WORKING CONDITIONS - MAYBE, BUT I'M SUSPICIOUS - LET ME KNOW HOW THIS WORKS.
2 x lightweight stands for Z50s.
SEE ABOVE
1 x Lowel 250'S w/barn doors.
2 MINIMUM - THIS WILL BE YOUR MAIN LIGHT FOR HAIR, BACKLIGHT AND BACKGROUND - 3 EVEN BETTER TO HAVE IN THE KIT, IF ONE CRAPS OUT, OR YOU'RE LIGHTING A BIGGER SITUATION.
Stand for Lowel.
DEFINITELY GET THE BOOM STAND BY BOGEN - IT'S SMALL(ISH) TO PACK, BUT EXTENDS ABOUT 6 OR 8 FEET (OR EVEN MORE - DON'T REMEMBER) - I HAVE TWO AND LOVE THEM - IT'S WHAT I USED IN THE MOVIE.
Cardboard cutout shadow board/s
SMALLER THAN IN THE MOVIE - WITH WAY SMALLER CUTOUTS - I'D SAY ABOUT A 15" SQUARE BOARD. BLACK BOTH SIDES.
Reflector board (your laminated poster-size one)
YEAH, BUT... IF MONEY IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM, I'D GO WITH THE WHITE/SILVER PHOTOFLEX 3 FOOT REFLECTOR (MOVIE) AND REFLECTOR STAND. THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY USE. THE CHEAPIES WERE FOR UNDERFINANCED WORKERS. THE END RESULT EXACTLY THE SAME - LIGHT IS LIGHT.
Dimmable bulbs for lanterns
LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU FIND THEM
Dimmer for lanterns.
AND YOUR LOWELL PRO 50'S AS WELL 3 TO 5 UNITS.
Splitter connectors (sockets to build lights for lanterns)
ABOUT 5 OR 6
2 x Multi-plug power strips
GET ABOUT 8 CHEAP POWER STRIPS - YOU'LL USE ALL OF THEM - DON'T SPEND EXTRA FOR SURGE PROTECTION
Light cables.
1- 100 FT 10/3 CONTRACTORS EXTENSION ON REEL
3 - 25 FT 14 OR 16 EXTENSIONS WITH LITTLE NEON INDICTORS BUILT IN TO SHOW POWER IS ON
8 - THREE WIRE SIMPLE 10 - 15 FT HOUSEHOLD EXTENSION WIRES.
Clamps and clips.
2- 8"
6- 4 OR 6"
DOZEN TEENY CLAMPS OR WOOD CLOTHESPINS FOR GELS TO LAMPS, ETC.
ScrimS.
IF YOU'VE GOT THE BUCKS GET A COMPLETE SET FOR ONE LIGHT
1 DOUBLE
1 SINGLE
1 HALF DOUBLE
1 HALF SINGLE
PLUS SNOOT SET
IF YOU DON'T HAVE BUCKS USE DIMMERS AND BLACKWRAP
Gels.
ABOUT 6 DIFFERENT BOLD COLORS
Green screen.
FOLDING GREENSCREEN FROM PHOTOFLEX (NON REFLECTIVE MATERIAL)
Green screen scaffold
CHECK OUT LARGE SPEAKER STANDS FROM SAM ASH
Anything else?
GAFFER TAPE IN SILVER AND BLACK
WATER BAGS AND SASH CHAIN FOR BOOMS AND LARGER LIGHTS.
CASES FOR EVERYTHING - I'M ALL ABOUT LITTLE BOXES AND BAGS IN LARGER BOXES AND BAGS.
TRY TO GET DIFFERENT COLORS AND SHAPES FOR YOUR DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT NEEDS.
IN A RUSH, I HATE TO HAVE TO "RUMMAGE ABOUT" TRYING TO FIND STUFF.
ALL OUR SOUND GEAR IS AN A YELLOW CONTRACTORS BAG
ALL OUR NANOLIGHT BULBS, DIMMERS AND CLIPS ARE IN A SMALL STANLEY ROLLING TWO PART CONTRACTORS BOX.
ALL OUR STANDS ARE IN STAND BAGS, ALTHOUGH I LIKE SPOT'S IDEA BETTER - GOLF CLUB CASES
TRIPODS MUST BE BAGGED FOR PROTECTION
ZOOM CONTROLLER FOR THE CAMERA - MUST HAVE
GOOD HEADPHONES FOR EACH CAMERAMAN - MUST HAVE - IF I SEE A CAMERAMAN SHOOTING W/O HEADPHONES - I KNOW HE'S AN AMATEUR.
RADIO MIKE SETUP - MANY AVAILABLE - I HAVE THREE TRANSMITTERS AND TWO RECEIVERS - TWO LAVS AND A RADIO HOOKUP FOR MY SHORT SHOTGUN (WITH BOOMPOLE)
MIKE CABLES 6 FT, 12 FT AND 25 FT - FOR WHEN THE RADIOS DON'T WORK
EXTRA CAMERA USING SAME MEDIA
BODY BRACE FOR EXTENDED HAND HELD SHOOTING
WE PACK EVERYTHING IN THREE LARGE STANLEY CONTRACTOR CASES AND FASTEN THEM TO EACH OTHER AND TO A POLE OR TABLE TO DISCOURAGE THEFT ON-SITE. WE USE COMBINATION LOCKS WITH ALL LOCKS SET TO AN EASY TO REMEMBER COMBINATION (2-2-2) SO ANYONE ON CREW CAN GET STUFF. WE NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING LAYING ABOUT - EVER.
Hope all the about helps even one person - it's a good basic professional working kit. If you need bigger stuff for any job - rent it. Don't tie up your assets in un-necessary equipment.
best to all,
v